Big Ocean is the only peer-learning network created ‘by managers for managers’ (and managers in the making) of large-scale marine areas. Our focus is management and best practice. Our goal is to support each other and the growing field of large-scale MPAs.

Recognizing the need to learn from each other, site managers from the world’s largest MPAs met on December 6, 2010 in Honolulu and launched Big Ocean: A Network of the Worlds Large-Scale Marine Managed Areas. Co-convened by the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument and World Heritage Site and the Phoenix Islands Protected Area and World Heritage Site under a bi-lateral “sister-site” relationship, this historic, inaugural meeting produced the first ever Managers’ Communiqué on the importance, contributions and needs of large-scale MPAs.

Big Ocean’s members are the large-scale MPA sites, represented by their managers and designated representatives. Members may also invite the participation of non-manager staff from their support network of donors, researchers, NGO partners and others from the private sector.

Managers and partners of Big Ocean’s founding member sites gathered for a historic photo to document the first-ever meeting of managers of the world’s largest MPAs. Photo: Big Ocean